On the existence of positive periodic solutions for neutral functional differential equation with multiple deviating arguments. (Q1873665)

The author deals with the following neutral functional-differential equation (NFDE) \[ \frac{dN}{dt}=N(t) \left[a(t)-\beta(t)N(t)-\sum_{j=1}^n b_j(t)N(t-\sigma_j(t))-\sum_{i=1}^m c_i(t)N'(t- \tau_i(t)) \right],\tag{1} \] where \(\beta(t)\), \(a(t)\), \(b_j(t)\), \(c_i(t)\), \(\sigma_j(t)\), \(\tau_i(t)\) are continuous periodic functions of common period \(\omega>0\) and \(\beta\geq 0, a(t)\geq 0, b_j(t)\geq 0, c_i(t)\geq 0, i=1,\dots,m\), \(j=1,\cdots, n\). In 1993, \textit{Y. Kuang} [Delay differential equations: with applications in population dynamics. Mathematics in Science and Engineering. 191. Boston, MA: Academic Press, Inc. (1993; Zbl 0777.34002)] proposed an open problem (Open Problem 9.2) to derive sufficient conditions for the existence of positive periodic solutions to (1) with \(n=m=1\). Since then, the NFDE of form (1) attracts much attention. In 1997, \textit{Y. K. Li} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 214, 11--21(1997; Zbl 0894.34075)] studied equation (1) with \(\sigma_i(t)\equiv \text{const.}\) and \(\tau_i(t)\equiv\text{const.}\) and derived sufficient conditions for the existence of a positive periodic solution by means of Mawhin's continuation theorem. However, it is a pity that there is an fatal error in his proof. In 2001, \textit{H. Fang} and \textit{J. B. Li} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 259, 8--17 (2001; Zbl 0995.34073)] reconsidered the same problem and studied system (1) with \(n=m=1\) and \(\tau(t)=\sigma(t)\) and gave an affirmative answer to Kuang's open problem 9.2. In the present paper, with the help of his abstract continuation theory for \(k\)-contractions, the author investigates the existence of positive periodic solutions to (1) and establishes sufficient criteria for the existence and nonexistence of positive periodic solutions, which improve the criterion derived by Fang and Li.